Mercer County presents adjusted budget

By
Sherrina Navani, The Trentonian

Thursday, February 28, 2013

TRENTON — Despite a projected fiscal hardship and the excruciating task of evaluating the current economics of the county, Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes had a piece of pop-culture advice for his constituents: “Keep calm and carry on.”

Hughes’ presentation of the $294 million dollar 2013 county budget to the Freeholders’ board Thursday evening, detailed a property tax increase of $.06 per $100 of assessed value, a 12 percent drop in ratable value, a $1.5 million dollar unexpected post-Sandy clean up cost and a nine percent increase in insurance premiums for county employee benefits, as high ticket line items for this fiscal year.

“Ongoing financial hardship—the likes of which had not been seen since the Great Depression—skyrocketing fuel costs and mandates imposed on our County by the State and Federal governments have left each of us feeling the effects where it hurts most — in our wallets, in our pocketbooks — forcing us to make difficult choices,” said Hughes to the board.

According to the presentation, of the total budget, $248 million, or almost 85 percent, will be collected locally through property taxes, and the remaining 15 percent will be collected through Federal/State grants, apportioned from the county surplus and from general revenues.

A major portion of the proposed budget, 70 percent, is spent on fixed costs such as salary and benefits for county employees. The second largest budget line, almost 54 percent, will be allocated for public safety. More than $133 million will be distributed amongst the Prosecutor’s Office, Sheriff’s Office, Police Academy and the Department of Corrections, according to the proposal.

In order to close the budget hole, Hughes recommended the county utilize $11 million, or about half of the surplus, only leaving an $8 million dollar balance, for as he put it, “a rainy day.”

Budgetary news was not completely dismal. Hughes outlined several cost-cutting efforts which continue to save Mercer County a substantial amount of money over the previous fiscal year. The “Shut Down, Shut Off and Save,” campaign, spearheaded by the Board of Social Services, encouraged employees to power down their computers and turn off lights at the end of a work day, saving the county $50,000 in one year.

Other divisions have also been diligent in “trimming the fat,” in order to do more with less money. The Mercer County Park Commission, which oversees over 1,000 acres of land, operates with fewer employees and have reduced overtime costs.

The county is also sourcing new revenue streams by enticing new business to the area. For example, online retail giant Amazon is set to break ground on a new warehouse in Robbinsville allocating $150,000 to the county for the pilot program.

“Making ends meet has not been easy but through careful financial management and tough decision-making, we’ve been able to regenerate as much as we’ve used,” said Hughes. “Those difficult times, however, have carried on far longer than I believe anyone anticipated.”

The Freeholders applauded the County Executive’s diligence and hard work to propose a budget which stays within the state-mandated cap and which thoughtfully considers the need to cut and the need to spend.

“The news was hopeful and you did a great job,” said County Freeholder Pat Colavita to Hughes at the end of the presentation. “I applaud you and your staff for what you’ve done this year…when times get tough you are willing to work within the restrictions you are given and with no need for drama.”

“I tried to use the nickname No Drama O’Brian, but it didn’t stick,” joked Hughes.